



I pray a lot! As Lysa says in the beginning of the book, pray when you want to eat, and I sure do! Thank you Lysa for writing Made to Crave! — Laura M




— Ginger I.










UPDATE as of January 2012: I wanted to update my MTC success story. I’m now 62 pounds lost…with 38 to go for my goal weight. For the first time in my life I actually believe I’m going to reach my goal of being in the “healthy weight range” for my height! I trained for and finished my first 10K last May with my husband. Bless his heart, he slowed down just so we could run together and have pictures of us crossing the finish line holding hands. I ran a very slow race (about 85 minutes)…but did it without having to stop and walk (a huge accomplishment for this brand new runner)! My training goal this year is to blow my finish time from last year out of the water. I’m hoping to run closer to a 10-minute mile this time! I’m continually amazed and excited by the places God has taken me since being introduced to Made to Crave in August of 2010.
I’m experiencing freedom in my thought life that I never imagined possible! MTC has truly been the answer to my “weight loss head stuff.” I’ve hosted two MTC Bible studies in my home with friends. I just can’t thank Lysa enough for writing this book and for allowing me to be part of the DVD studio audience! I’ll forever be singing the praises of “Made to Crave”! God has brought me a LONG way ~ both mentally & physically. Just had to share my progress. I’m excited to cross the finish line of my weight loss journey this year! I’ll let you know when I do. — Jennifer M.

since then to reread chapters, paragraphs and prayers. I know it sounds cliche, but it has been nourishment for my starving soul.
I have spent about half of my life struggling with eating *problems*, stuck in a constant cycle of binging, weight gain, self-starvation and then weight loss over, and over, and over again over the course of AT LEAST the last 17 years. It’s a painful struggle. And in the end left me with nothing but guilt, self-loathing and and unsatisfied craving for *something*.
2 years ago our pastor preached a sermon on gluttony and food and it was the very beginning of my healing process…for the first time EVER I saw overeating for what it was, and temptation for what it really was. It was such an eye-opening experience to understand that my struggle wasn’t about the FOOD. And my weakness wasn’t about a lack of willpower. It had never before occurred to me that something was waging war against my soul. But even then I relied so heavily on my own strength that I inevitably lapsed and gave in to my food cravings… and all of the mental scripts involving guilt and shame returned as well, which only perpetuated the problem.
Then, in March, I “happened” across Made to Crave when my cousin “Liked” it on her Facebook page. It opened my eyes even further, and for the first time I realized that God MADE me to crave… He made me to crave HIM, not the things of this world. And I would never be satisfied trying to fill my life (or my belly) with things of this world. I also realized that I could not change my habits or my life while depending on my own strength.
It’s a daily process for me. I wake up every morning and realize that I have a choice to honor God with my body that day… or not. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive (1 Corinthians 10:23). I felt lead to give up foods that would trigger my unhealthy behaviors, so I gave up sugar… not just the white, sweet stuff… I gave up rice, flour, potatoes, pasta and (for now) grains. I eat mostly “lean and green” foods and I have been trying to run at least 10 miles a week. I have noticed so many physical and emotional differences in my body since making those changes, as my blood sugar isn’t all over the map anymore! I have also noticed HUGE spiritual changes as well, as I have learned to depend on GOD when I feel weak. And He continues to answer my prayers when I ask for His help and strength and discipline.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 helps keep me focused and is also my favorite verse to meditate on right now…. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. …wow… That has TOTALLY changed my perspective on so many things, and rather than seeing myself as a victim of a not-so-fast metabolism, or the victim of an eating disorder, or someone who has failed at yet another weight-loss attempt, I see myself as a child of God; a forgiven, accepted, victorious and LOVED child of God!
I am so grateful that God lead me to pick up your book. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life! — Renee


As part of my treatment the doctor prescribed a steroid that was wonderful at the time because it made me feel better than I have felt in years, but at the same time I ate like a horse and my attitude was that I deserved it. With all the stress that I have gone through…why not! Why not eat that second helping, why not eat that dessert, why not get the Venti with whip! Why not, I had the steroids as my excuse…I woke up every morning thinking of food and I went to bed every night thinking of food. Well ten months later after my disease was in remission the doctor took me off of steroids and told me I had to do something about my weight gain.
In those short 10 months I had gained 45 pounds!!! (Not good for someone who has joint pain.) I knew I needed to start exercising again and I knew I needed to cut back
on my calorie intake. But I needed the right encouragement to start this journey. That is when I discovered Made to Crave. My sister had started reading it and told me about it so on that weekend shopping trip I made 2 purchases, Made to Crave book and the Zumba dvds!!!
On Feb. 1, 2011 I went to the doctor and I was 2 lbs away from weighing the same as I did when I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter. But since that visit I have lost 29 pounds and I know I will reach my goal of 55 total pounds lost!! The parts of the book that I really needed at this time was that God is my portion. He really is ALL I need. I love the part in the book where Lysa states that she keeps asking God to be her daily portion — of companionship, provision, patience. At this point I realized how much I needed God’s compassion, He did not judge me for my weight gain and my weakness, instead He loved me and was compassionate about my circumstances. WOW! SUCCESS!!!!
Not only am I losing the weight that I needed to lose to be a healthier person I have obtained the one major thing I have been searching for – PEACE! Yes I still have my disease, yes my daughter is still a diabetic, yes we are still adapting to our move, but because of God’s daily portion I have found joy in my circumstances. Thank you Lord for your love, your understanding, your compassion and for taking over my struggles that I may have Victory and be able to share my story and give you all the Glory! This view from the mountaintop is amazing!
UPDATE as of January 2012:Well it has been a year since I started my weight loss journey and my original goal was to lose 55 lbs. Well I am glad to tell you I have actually lost 62 lbs. I have gone from a size 18 to a size 10 and loving and living life! I have gone from being the mom who doesn’t want to be noticed at my son’s games to being the loudest cheerleader!! I am so glad to have my confidence back, because God can use me so much more now!! I still refer back to my notes and all my underlining in Made to Crave, and I am here to tell you it does get easier and you CAN do it!! May God bless all of you on your journey to success! — April M.









— Rhonda M.


My weight loss began post-Christmas (not post-New Year), but I was fearful that it would
be typical post-holiday weight loss that didn’t continue after a few weeks. Then, after the arrival of Made to Crave, I now believe differently. God is working on my heart and I truly believe I’ve found my “want to!” — Leah G.





